Parade organizers optimistic, but wary of predicted weather for Sunday

The Cape Girardeau Parade of Lights, which was rescheduled for this Sunday because of rain, may see a repeat event -- or it may not be seen at all.

The National Weather Service is predicting a 90 percent chance of showers for Sunday, but organizers are staying optimistic.

"I am not ready to say that we're going to cancel it," said Marla Mills, executive director for Old Town Cape.

If the parade is canceled this time, Mills said, it probably would not be rescheduled again because of all the resources that would take. The city has to bring in more manpower from the police department, and volunteers are needed at the starting and ending points. Cleanup crews are also needed for post-parade debris.

Other holiday festivities are already scheduled and volunteers have different plans, she said.

"Every time you put it off, the resources get scarce," Mills said. "We'll make that call probably on Sunday based on the forecast for the day."

Mills said the floats will roll if there is only a light rain, but heavy showers or a thunderstorm would put the brakes on the annual event, now in its 16th year.

As with last week, if the parade is canceled people will be notified that day by phone calls, radio announcements or on the Internet. Weather permitting, the parade will start at Capaha Park, travel east on Broadway, turn right onto Main Street and end at Hutson's Fine Furniture. The parade has 100 entries including bands, floats and Santa Claus bringing up the rear.